These are my random thoughts . In disarming simplicity and warmth,my observations of the world around and the people are described. My own experiences and thoughts go a long way to make these readable and a bit informative. I hope , you all enjoy it.
Background shows the Old palm leaf grantha kept in my ancestral home.
“13th chapter of Devi Mahatmyam is written and finished on 9th of the Chingom month of ME 1048 (AD 1872)by Kochu Kunjunni Thampan of Parimanathu Kovilakom”.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Lyrical Best Wishes on Wedding Anniversary

Today, my parents celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary, most simply in the serene surroundings of our ancestral Tharavadu, called Parimanathu Kovilakom, in Cherthala, the erstwhile Karappuram of the princely state of Travancore.Though old, both my father and mother, by the grace of Almighty are healthy and look after their daily chores with peace and fulfillment.It is extremely rare to be blessed with longevity, health, simplicity in needs, self refinement, devotion to God, hard work, contentment and Thithiksha (This word in Sanskrit means endurance and patience untouched by happiness and sorrow). Without doubt, one could say that all these are true for my beloved father, Rama Varma. Such people are extremely few in any period and in any part of the world. It is due to the blessings of Goddess Mahamaya, his beloved deity; he continues to shed an ethereal element of simplicity possessed only by the Rishis of yore and intensely felt by all who come into contact with him.My mother, Nalini Thampuratty has been a strong lady of many virtues and as per Marumakkathayam (matrilineal system of inheritance) was the inheritor of Parimanathu Kovilakom properties. She was the pet of her uncle PN Goda Varma Thampan, the doyen of the family who was a great scholar in Sanskit and English with much erudition. He established the first school of the village in 1940s which is today a High School.In the first half of the 20th century in Kerala, for marriages in Kerala, it was usual for poets and scholars to read and present Managalasamsakal (Lyrics of best wishes) to the newly married couples. Often, these were got printed and distributed. Some of these are especially notable for fine verses written with elegance and beauty reflecting the language.For the marriage of my parents, Managalasamsakal was given by Varanadu K.P.Sastrigal, a renowned scholar of the times and a great friend and admirer of our grand uncle. He was a founding member of the Akhila Bharata Ayyappa Seva Sangham founded in 1945, to help the pilgrims undertaking the holy trip to Sabarimala shrine.It may be of some interest to some to see the scholastic verses of the poet and hence the same is reproduced alongside. I shall think of giving it an English translation, conveniently.